2018 IM Santa Rosa 70.3 Race Recap
Pre-Race:
Was really busy/slammed at work the 2 days leading up to the race. Thursday before race I was working until 10pm, and woke up early on Friday to try to get stuff done before packet pick up. Logistics of this event was actually really annoying but whatever. No drama here. Only stress I felt was from work.
Bike
Honestly didn't feel any nerves before race start (with or without swim) - it felt like I was just gearing up for a big training day, and I was super excited to see what I could throw down today
Since swim was cancelled I ate a pack of skratch chews before start (7:15am ish), and from there I ate a pack of chews basically every 30-45 minutes (5 packs total). Also had 40oz of skratch mix in my speedfil + 26oz bottle of water up front (and another 24oz water from final aid station)
FEELS: I was having soooo much fun here! Felt super fast and exhilarating - just focused on every moment and tried not to draft too much (nor let others draft off me too much either). There was one U-turn at the course and this guy in front of me slowed almost to a stop as he was rounding the turn that I had to clip out last minute (sudden movement here made my left calf cramp up only slightly). That was really annoying but whatever - I shook it off and kept riding. Also at mile 44 of bike I was trying to overtake this lady and felt my right hamstring act up a little - felt like it was one false move away from cramping up but luckily nothing happened for the rest of the ride
Run
I could NOT stop smiling! End-to-end, ear-to-ear. No issues here; i ran with a 12oz handheld of skratch mix + ate 1 packet of chews throughout the first half
Just ran how I felt, drank a cup of water at each station - had so much fun seeing familiar faces on the course
If it was hot, I didn't notice. By the last few miles of the run my legs felt extremely heavy but my heart felt like it could take more - probably needed to fuel better here but unsure
Also got stung by a wasp on my left middle finger during mile 3 (that a$$hole.... hope I squished it enough as i shook it off)
HIGHLIGHTS: no cramps, no pain
Overall 21.85mph avg followed by 7:34min/mi avg --- SUPER happy with performance! couldn't help but feel a LITTLE bummed about being 1 spot away from top 5, but only helps motivate me to do better :) also wow, this new age group is full of beasts - can't wait to give them some real hell soon!!
